Finite element analysis for components force of flexural rubber joint

Flexible rubber joint is an important connecting pipe fitting in ship and chemical industry. However, the problems existing in its application, especially the stress distribution for each component of rubber joint structure, were lack of theoretical analysis. Therefore the finite element model of rubber joint was established according to its structure in this study. With the help of software, the stress characteristics of rubber joint under the axial tension and periodic dynamic load were analysed with the standard maximum internal pressure load and flanges bolt pretension together. The calculation results showed that the order of maximum stress in rubber joint components from big to small was: reinforcement ring, cord layer and rubber skeleton. In order to reduce the stress value at the weak area in the rubber components, the angles of the cord were studied and found that when the cord angle were 60°/-60°for 1,3,5/2,4,6 layer respectively, the maximum stress value for the reinforcement ring and cord fabrics were reduced obviously. After the life computation by the software, it was confirmed that the cord angle arrangement 60°/-60°for cord layers could significantly improve the service life of the rubber joint